Earlier this week, my daughter talked me into trying I had the opportunity to check out Om Float in Ashburn, VA. Om Float is one of the growing float therapy centers in area. I was both intrigued and nervous about my first “float” and I’d love to share my experience with you.
A New Kind Of Om
What’s float therapy anyway?
“Floating” is the experience of lying in a quiet, dark tank that is filled with Epsom salt and water to allow you to effortlessly achieve a sensation of floating. It is in essence a sensory deprivation experience that blocks out all outside noise, light and distraction. The water is kept at body temperature to assist you in losing track of where your body ends and the water begins.
Why in the world would you do this?
Because my daughter talked me into it. Float lovers report find both physical and spiritual benefits. Many people with chronic illnesses/pain find floating relieves some of their physical ailments. On a spiritual level, much like meditation or yoga, floating is a time to reflect on things and thoughts within without the distractions of the outside world. With more practice and exposure, floaters report finding the most relaxed state they ever felt almost an in between sleep and wake state.
So how did it go?
Let me preface this by saying that I was a little nervous about being in a closed tank full of dark of water of 90 minutes. As much as I love swimming, this is not swimming. I can be a little claustrophobic and was not sure I would be able to actually do it. We received a brief tutorial from the owner which calmed my nerves quite a bit.
The tank is really like a large bath tub with a cover and hatch like door. The water inside is only about 10 inches deed and filled with high density Epsom salts. I also learned that the door can stay open a crack and that is what I did. So after a quick shower, it was time to get in. (insert nervous face) Relaxing music was set to play for the first 15 minutes then complete silence until the end of the 90 min where music would be played again to alert you to the end of your session.
I spent the first few minutes “trying to float” the way I might in a pool. I then realized that I did not have to actively float as the water really is that dense that it just lifts you. I then spent a few minutes trying to figure out where to put my arms and touching the bottom of the tank a few times to make sure it was there.
Since this was supposed to be a spiritual experience, I then tried to think about what I should think about. I wondered how I would possibly just float in the dark for another 75 minutes. I had all kinds of crazy thoughts (is this how my kids felt in the womb?) before I was able to quiet my mind and get comfortable somewhere around the time the music went off.
I soon lost track of time and found myself in a very relaxed state where yes I could not feel where my body ended and the water began. My neck and shoulders felt so supported yet so relaxed. I must have fallen asleep at some point and was alerted to the quiet music and light that indicated my session was coming to a close.
Post Float
Coming out of the tank, I felt a little out of it and light headed for a moment almost the same way I feel after an intense massage. Mostly, I was completely surprised that I lasted the whole 90 minutes in there without freaking out. There is a “quiet room” where you are invited to stay for a few minutes post float to re-acclimate and have some tea or water and that’s where I found my daughter.
Would I do it again?
Maybe. I did find it incredibly relaxing and I slept so well that night. I enjoy regular Epsom salt baths and find them very soothing post race or hard workout. I can see how people who enjoy meditation would find it a similar experience. If I had chronic pain issues, injuries or was currently pregnant I believe it would be a fabulous treatment.
With any treatment or experience, I feel that I would probably have to try it a few more times to reap all of the spiritual and physical benefits that frequent float therapy users report. It is a little pricey (about $60 per float).
Thanks for sticking through to the end and reading about my Om Float experience. Tell me, have you ever tried float therapy? Would you?
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Ive never heard of this before! My first reaction was that I would feel claustrophobic. But leaving the door cracked would help. Sounds really interesting!
I thought I would freak out too but really I did not mind the door at all.
Float therapy kind of freaks me out. But then, I though SCUBA would be scary, and I loved it.
It’s funny I never made it past the pool lesson of Scuba I just couldn’t have the gear on my face like that. This did not give me any anxiety feelings at all
I don’t know if I could spend 90 minutes in that tank! Actually, while I was reading this I couldn’t fathom spending 90 minutes sitting or lying still doing nothing! I bet you felt really relaxed when you were done.
I really did not think I would make it the whole time and was really surprised that I did
Wow, I’ve never heard of this before but it sounds pretty cool! I’m a little claustrophobic but I would love to try this.
I am claustrophobic as well and was really concerned, but no problems at all I was really amazed
Oh my gosh, this sounds interesting but I don’t think I could do, I would freak out I think. I think with things like this you probably do have to try them more than once to reap the benefits.
I thought I would freak out but was surprised to feel very relaxed
Not sure whether I’d like to be in a small space for that long, but thanks for the review… I may reconsider 🙂
I’m glad I tried it
I’ve never heard of float therapy. Sounds interesting. 90 minutes is a long time, I don’t think I could do it!
I did not think I would be able to either pleasantly surprised
This is weird and intriguing… I would probably have the same fears as you about being trapped in a black tank for 90 minutes. But the fact that you lost track of time has me really intrigued… I wonder if they have that near me. I’m going to have to look it up!
It was a neat experience and I am glad that I tried it
Interesting. The Salt Den I visit is only 45 minutes (a very different experience anyway). But my point being I just can’t imagine just relaxing for 90 minutes. Now, throw in a massage . . .
I think it’s really cool your daughter suggested it!
I did not think I would be able to relax for that long either. I was telling them that they should offer it in conjunction with a massage
I was curious to see what you’d think… I have to say I did really enjoy it the one time I did it, and I think I would consider doing it again… the time really does go by fast and it is very relaxing / meditative, and I don’t even like to meditate other than on the run.
Went by so much faster than I expected
This is a great review! There’s a float place in Milwaukee that I’ve heard about, but never really looked into. I’ll have to check it out!
It was a fun thing to experience
Wow. That sounds really cool. Love how that your daughter ‘encouraged’ you to do it. Will have to see if there is anything like that here in central Florida.
I’m glad she did
I love the “is this how my children felt in the womb thought,” I feel like that is where my mind would go as well. Cool experience, I had never heard of this before.
It’s funny the things you think about sometimes
I’ve thought about buying a session for Vegas so many times. She has muscle problems and I think this might help. I’m a little scared of water… it would take some bribery to get me in there. It does sound cool though!
I thought I would be scared but honestly it’s just inches of water in there nothing to be scared of
I think the only kind of “floating” I can handle is a root beer float 😉 hehe. Your experience definitely sounds interesting! I would be claustrophobic for sure, but if I COULD get in there without freaking out, I would probably fall asleep after that. Personally I wouldn’t go for a float, but count this as a fun bonding experience shared with your daughter!
ha ha! Yes it was not anything like how I imagined it would be. I was not scared at all once I got in
Like you, I’m not sure I could stay in there that long but if you did it, then I’m sure I could too. It does sound relaxing, once you get used to the feeling. Shutting my brain down would be the hardest part, I’m sure. It sounds intriguing for sure 🙂
It’s very hard to shut my brain down as well but wow it felt great once I was able to
I have never heard of this before! And reading by comments of other readers, looks like a lot of people haven’t heard of this either
It’s amazing isn’t it, of how bizarre things they come up with these days!
Yes! There are all kinds of crazy things out there!
I’ve seen a few float places available on Groupon, but haven’t tried it myself. It doesn’t really sound like my cup of tea, but that probably means that I need it! Thanks for sharing this because I really didn’t know what it was all about. What did your daughter think?
I did not know what it was really about either. She really enjoyed it and wants to go back!
I really want to try this! I would worry about feeling claustrophobic but think I’d be ok.
I was really worried about it but all my anxiety just faded away when I got in
Sounds….relaxing??? I’m with you on the nervousness surrounding a water filled tomb uh, I mean vault-type. Not sure I could do it! But, on the other hand, I cannot float AT ALL, so it would be nice to feel what it’s like! 🙂
You should try it! It’s really a great experience
I’m not sure I’d like being in a closed tank for that long, but it does sound intriguing 🙂
Oh, I don’t know if I could do this. If I did, I bet I’d fall asleep, but the whole thing sounds freaky.
I was really nervous about but it was a cool experience
Sounds interesting. I think for that $$ I’d prefer a massage, but it does sound relaxing.
Once I let myself relax it really was
Never heard of this…at least not in my lil’ small-Iowa town. Being all closed up inside would be freaky for me, too. But I imagine the dense water would feel good (once I got over the fact that I was not gonna drown in it) .
Yes there is no way you can drown in the few inches of water. I worried about being closed up too but once I got in I was fine
im generally scared of water so i dont know if i will be able to last that long..it sounds relaxing but for me, i am nervous..
It’s only a few inches of water so nothing to fear
I never tried anything like this, but definitely looks interesting.
It was a really different experience for me I am glad I tried it
The few times I’ve done float therapy I loved it. I’d do it more often if it weren’t so pricey. My husband likes it after running an ultra event. Just what his body needs.
It is a little pricey. I bet it’s great after doing an endurance event.
Oh man, I would have been freaking out a bit too. I find it hard to sit still for that long let alone in a dark tank!!! I’d probably try it though…just to see what it’s about 😛
I was worried about it but no problems at all
“Is this how my kids felt in the womb?” LOL! Quite possibly!! I think, like you, I would be very very nervous to test this out.
I was for sure but really glad that I did
I have a few friends that have tried this, and have to say it freaks me out a little – like you said: darkness, claustrophobic, 90 minutes! Not to mention I am not a water person haha. Do they have half hour options? I MIGHT give it a shot for a shorter period of time haha.
The one here only had 90 minutes because they say (and I now agree) it takes about 15-20 m to get relaxed enough to enjoy it
I confess the tank looked terrifying to me when i saw that first pic, but the water only being 10 inches deep changed that perception for me. When in life do we lay still and relax that long, rarely…so I can see how it would be very beneficial.
I am amazed that small of water of water can be dense enough to float a person, I need to go back science class lol I guess. People say the Dead Sea has healing powers and this sounds like it is as close as you can get here 🙂
Exactly it’s a small amount of water and they have so much salt in there so you just float.
Oh my, you were very brave! I am not sure I could do it. Anything that makes me feel like I am in a coffin, freaks me out! This is why I never got in a tanning bed either. Sounds like it was an interesting experience!
I really thought I would be scared to death and was pleasantly surprised
This sounds like a very interesting experience. Good for you to try it out despite your hesitations, and even better of you to recognize that it would take trying it out a few more times to determine whether or not you would find it to be a beneficial experience. Its so hard to make a decision about something after just being introduced to it.
Yes I completely agree but I am glad that I tried it
Very interesting. I will admit it does sound a little scary…..I might give it try after hearing your experience.
I was so scared before I got there but so glad that I tried it
One of my clients tried this and had basically the same opinion of it as you. I think i’d rather get a massage. Then again, I’m not much of a swimmer.
You really are not swimming just a natural float. I do love my massages but this was a neat experience to try as well
Oh, wow… total darkness and a closed tank, I’m not so sure I could do that! It does sound very relaxing, after you get past those two things.
It was relaxing after a few minutes!
you’re really interesting Deborah and your floating therapy also 🙂 good luck and keep providing us such a great information. i wish i could join your MRTT.
Well thanks so much! Thanks for stopping by
🙂